Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 182: Chapter 180: Requirements

His previously relaxed smile slowly faded away.

Xiao Ruoling laughed, "What’s wrong?"

"It seems that this Holy Daughter position needs to be fought for."

"Hmm—?" Xiao Ruoling blinked her deep, bright eyes.

Xiao Zhiyuan’s attitude had fundamentally changed.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If it weren’t for the Taiyin Great Refining Form, it wouldn’t matter, but with such a miracle technique, how can I let it pass?!"

"But..."

"It’s only ten years, we’re still young. Is trading ten years for several hundred years of lifespan worth it or not?"

If Xiao Ruoling could become a Great Grandmaster, that would be fine, but if she couldn’t, her lifespan would be far inferior to his own.

Once she practices this Taiyin Great Refining Form, she could keep up with him, and also remain youthful forever.

To exchange ten years for such a beautiful thing?

"But..." Xiao Ruoling hesitated.

"Yujing is less than a thousand miles from Yao Yue Palace. I can ride the Heavenly Dragon Divine Horse and be there in half a day, coming back just as fast. Yao Yue Palace’s disciples can’t enter Yujing, but I can go to Yao Yue Palace."

Xiao Ruoling blinked her eyes.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "We’re not separating, just postponing the wedding for ten years, and in return, we gain everlasting youth and a long lifespan. It’s well worth it!"

Coming to Duke An Mansion is very convenient now, you can get there in a matter of steps. It takes half a day to go to Yao Yue Palace, but if you truly care for someone, it’s not much trouble at all.

Xiao Ruoling hesitated.

She really didn’t want to be this Holy Daughter.

Going to the Secret Realm was fun; the Secret Realm is like a treasure waiting for her to explore.

But the Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace, that’s another matter.

The Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace held no allure for her.

The more you lack something, the more you desire it.

Yao Yue Palace, in the eyes of outsiders, is mysterious and powerful, and holds a high status, but in her eyes, it’s not so glamorous, just a Great Sect of the Martial Arts at most.

After all, she belonged to the State Duke Mansion.

The Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace, being just under the Palace Master, holds great power, but as the young lady of the State Duke Mansion, who oversees the entire mansion, she lacks no power.

The reputation and status of the Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace, she felt, were not as good as being the Heir’s Wife.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Since the opportunity is right before us, we should give it our best effort to avoid any future regrets."

"...Alright." Seeing his determination, Xiao Ruoling could only reluctantly agree.

Chu Zhiyuan thought for a moment, "Since we have to compete in martial arts, we should prepare well... Starting tomorrow, I’ll come every afternoon, and we’ll practice swordsmanship."

"Alright." Xiao Ruoling reluctantly agreed.

——

On the next morning, he continued practicing martial arts at Mingwu Hall, reported to the Ministry of Rites for attendance, and then went to his new residence for cultivation.

By lunchtime, Bai Ningshuang had already returned from the palace.

After the meal, Chu Zhiyuan said, "Mother, I have something to say to the West Palace Lady."

"What is it?" Bai Ningshuang asked, "Do you want me to convey it to the West Palace Lady immediately?"

"Yes."

"Go ahead," Bai Ningshuang said.

Chu Yi and Chu Minghou looked over.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I would like to ask the Emperor to have Grandmaster Song secretly protect Ruoling."

"Hmm—?" All three were surprised.

This request was extremely unusual, even abrupt.

To have a Great Grandmaster secretly protect someone is a privilege not available to ordinary people, not even for the Heir’s Wife, let alone the Prince.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Just convey it like that to the West Palace Lady."

"Yuan’er, what is this about? Why does Ruoling need a Great Grandmaster’s protection? Is she in danger?"

"Exactly, exactly, brother, what danger does Sister Xiao face?"

"She’s about to go out for a while."

"To do what?"

"To visit Yao Yue Palace and see if she can become the Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace."

"...Yuan’er, what nonsense are you talking about!" Bai Ningshuang said irritably, "What’s going on?"

"Mother, let’s talk about this later, for now, just tell the West Palace Lady this."

"...Alright." Seeing the seriousness on Chu Zhiyuan’s face, Bai Ningshuang agreed, refraining from further questions, and prepared to leave.

She’s always been decisive and acted swiftly once a thought crossed her mind.

After Bai Ningshuang left, Chu Yi pulled him aside, insisting on an explanation.

Chu Zhiyuan had no choice but to bring her to the Wanqing Courtyard.

Everywhere was filled with fresh flowers and strange grasses, competing in beauty and splendor. It’s no wonder she stayed here and didn’t want to leave.

This was indeed a quiet world, free from the disturbances of the mundane world.

Sometimes, thinking about it, Chu Yi’s life was truly wonderful.

She didn’t need to care too much, just immerse herself in her own world, surrounded by loving parents and an elder brother, living in luxury. A fulfilling day quickly passed by.

Now she practices martial arts, and with her friend Li Suyue by her side.

Just as he was about to speak, a young maid outside reported that Miss Li had arrived.

So Chu Yi ran out to greet Li Suyue.

Li Suyue entered, dressed in a dark green silk robe, looking soft and tender, and upon seeing Chu Zhiyuan, her face immediately turned red.

Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "Little sister, since Suyue is here, I won’t disturb you."

He was about to get up and leave, but Chu Yi grabbed him, "Brother, since Suyue’s here, it doesn’t delay your conversation. Let’s get down to business quickly!"

Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "This matter is not resolved yet, you have to wait a bit longer."

Chu Yi grabbed his hand, not letting him go, "Even if it’s unresolved, tell us first."

Chu Zhiyuan helplessly looked at her tiny hand, "Alright, let go, I’ll talk."

Chu Yi quickly released his hand, and even helped Chu Zhiyuan straighten his clothes, smiling, "Brother, we are all ears."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "This matter is rather lengthy."

"Then take your time, no rush." Chu Yi, hearing this, was immediately interested, and quickly summoned the maid to bring tea and snacks, as well as fruits.

Offering fruits to Li Suyue and tea to Chu Zhiyuan, she enjoyed a sip herself, looking leisurely at Chu Zhiyuan, ready to hear his story.

Seeing her like this, Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "This story begins with the martial arts Ruoling practices; she secretly became a disciple of the West Palace Lady."

"Ah—?" Chu Yi exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Xiao is a martial artist? She practices martial arts?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded and smiled, "At Innate Perfection, she’s about to step into the level of a Grandmaster."

If she becomes a Grandmaster, she would not be qualified to become the Holy Daughter.

"Isn’t that wrong?" Chu Yi exclaimed, "Sister Xiao doesn’t know martial arts, right, Suyue?"

"This..." Li Suyue didn’t dare look at Chu Zhiyuan, only speaking to Chu Yi softly, "I heard there are some miracle techniques in the martial arts world that can conceal one’s breath, hiding it deeply; she must have practiced some such technique."

"Oh—!" Chu Yi immediately asked, "And then?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The West Palace Lady is from Yao Yue Palace, so Ruoling is also a disciple of Yao Yue Palace."

"Yao Yue Palace..." Chu Yi looked at Li Suyue.

Li Suyue lightly frowned and said softly, "Yao Yue Palace is one of the four major Demon Sects, not interfering with the Court."

Chu Yi asked, "One of the four Demon Sects... a Demon Sect?"

Li Suyue quickly said, "The Demon Sect is different from the Evil Sect; it’s not that they are evil, but they act beyond the bounds of law, at their own will, and because they hold an exalted status. In short, Yao Yue Palace is extremely powerful."

"And then?"

"A while ago, the Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace stepped down, and a new Holy Daughter is to be selected. Ruoling was ordered by her master to go and participate."

"The Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace?" Li Suyue exclaimed in surprise, "That’s a big deal!"

Chu Yi quickly looked at her.

Li Suyue said, "The Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace is the second in command there, just below the Palace Master, and the Palace Master has always been rarely involved in affairs, often in retreat, so the Holy Daughter handles most Yao Yue Palace matters... this is what I heard from my master."

"Can she still marry you after becoming the Holy Daughter?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Then we can only wait until the Holy Daughter steps down. Of course, it also depends on whether she can be selected as the Holy Daughter; it’s not a certainty."

"What if she is selected, then she can’t get married?"

"Yes, a Holy Daughter cannot marry."

"How long does it take for the Holy Daughter to step down?"

"Ten years."

"Brother, you’re twenty now, in ten years you’ll be thirty... If mother knows this, it will be like a bolt from the blue for her." Chu Yi sympathetically looked at him, "Mother is sure to go crazy, you handle it."

"It’s you I’m telling, naturally it’s you who must help."

"I can’t help!"

"Ruoling is also in a difficult position, under orders from the West Palace Lady, what can she do?"

Putting the responsibility on the West Palace Lady, that settles everything.

It’s not really shifting the blame, as it originally was her responsibility.

"...True enough."

"Give mother a heads-up in advance," Chu Zhiyuan said.

"Alright." Chu Yi sighed, "The most pitiful is Sister Xiao, having to become the Holy Daughter at such a critical time."

She didn’t think the Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace was so significant, considering it far less important than being the Heir’s Wife.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in agreement.

If not for the Taiyin Great Refining Form, being the Holy Daughter indeed wasn’t as crucial, at best adding a halo to Xiao Ruoling.

But now it was different.

"Brother, you’re also pitiful, your almost-bride, the Heir’s Wife, is flying away." Chu Yi giggled, "Only after ten years can you bring her back."

"The Holy Daughter position is not something one can just assume; it also depends on fate," Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile.

"Sister Xiao, so beautiful, how could she not be selected as the Holy Daughter?" Chu Yi said.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "It’s not based on looks alone."

"Sister Xiao is not only unparalleled in beauty but also intelligent, and manages the State Duke Mansion; who could compare?"

"...If she is indeed selected, those ten years are not a waste, she can focus on cultivating."

"Mother will be frantic," Chu Yi said, sticking out her tongue.

Chu Zhiyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He managed to smooth things over, at least laying the groundwork; appeasing Bai Ningshuang’s anger was most crucial to prevent her from causing a scene.

With Bai Ningshuang’s temper, if thoroughly provoked, she would certainly go to the Emperor and make a fuss.